Is glycerine which is from animal sources Halaal to eat? Is it okay to use soaps and creams with glycerine in them? Also, is food Halaal if it has vanilla extract?
Answer:
As Salaam Alaikum wa Rahmatullah wa Barakatuh
We received you query regarding Glycerine and vanilla extract. Our answer is as follows:
After contacting SANHA (South African National Halaal Authority) regarding the above mentioned ingredients, we received the following answers. We concur to the opinion of SANHA and hence we reproduce their reply hereunder:
1) When glycerine is used in soap, it is permissible to use it and this ruling is exclusively for soap as the Fuqaha gave this ruling on the predicament of the people. All soaps whether solid or in liquid form, will be permissible to use under this ruling. As for other products, whether edible or cosmetic, the glycerine needs to be from Halaal sources, or else it won’t be permissible to use or consume.
2) Natural Vanilla is generally extracted by using ethanol as a solvent. Our ‘Ulama are of the view that where ethanol from non-khamr source is used in non-intoxicant applications such as solvents, carriers etc then such product would be condoned and deemed permissible to use.
AND ALLAH TA’AALA KNOWS BEST
Muhammad Z Panchbhaya